A Socio-cultural Analysis of Factors Influencing Gender Participation in Informal Sector Business: the Case of Kangemi Market and Its Environs,nairobi
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to examine factors influencing gender participation 111
informal micro-enterprises, growth of entrepreneurship and their contributions to income
generation at household levels and subsequent alleviation of poverty.
The specific objectives were to assess and document the development of informal microenterprises
in Kangemi, Nairobi; identify the socio-cultural factors influencing
entrepreneur participation in these enterprises; determine the cost-effectiveness of informal
micro-enterprises for poverty alleviation among the low-income groups in Kangemi and
determine choice and sources of credit by micro-entrepreneurs. It was hypothesized that the
findings from this study could have implications for decision making and policy makers
targeting small business entrepreneurs in informal micro-enterprises from a socio-cultural
perspective.
The increasing number of groups of low-income micro-entrepreneurs in Kangemi has been
due to rural-urban migration and urban-to-urban center migration within Nairobi. This has
led to population increase, lack of employment and the need to engage oneself in some
economic activity for household survival. Social and cultural dimensions of a community
may influence the kind of business development and motivations attitudes of individuals in
informal micro-enterprises. Nonetheless, little is known about the factors that determine
choice and participation decisions in the sector. Two groups of low-incorne-rn icroentrepreneurs,
namely low-income informal traders from rural areas and those residing in
Kangerni have found it convenient to trade in Kangemi.
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Data were obtained from randomly selected various informal micro-enterprises found 111
Kangerni market and its environs. A list of informal micro-entrepreneurs was obtained
from "Kangemi Market Register" kept by the market management and 380 potential traders
were purposively selected. A systematic random sampling procedure was t~l-n used to
select the potential respondents numbering 95. Data were analyzed for 85 respondents as
10 questionnaires had missing data.
A descriptive analysis of the data collected on factors influencing gender participation in
informal sector business in Kangemi found the enterprises profitable and cost-effective for
small scale business ~ntrepreneurs to engage in and that these groups were in the informal
micro-enterprises to generate income and support their families. Over 97% and 64% of
both men and women were greatly influenced by social and cultural factors respectively.
Sponsorhip
The University of NairobiPublisher
University of Nairobi,
Subject
A socio-cultural analysisGender participation in informal sector business
Kangemi market and its environs,Nairobi